From player to coach

The Outdoor Hockey League (OHL) is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. From its humble beginnings in a Regina classroom to a league which is now spread across Saskatchewan, the OHL allows all youth the opportunity to play hockey by removing the financial barriers. Over the next several weeks we will be highlighting stories from volunteers, former players, and the media over the past 20 years. Please tune in weekly for a little piece of hockey history.

Dale McCallum was a late comer to the sport of hockey. He was 12 years old and a resident at Ranch Ehrlo the first time he strapped on a pair of skates. He was instantly hooked.

He was taking part in the Outdoor Hockey League (OHL) at Cathedral Rink.

“In a way I had to play but after the first time on the ice I wanted to play,” Dale joked.

Dale played for a few years in the OHL and then moved on to play in the Regina Hockey League, started in Bantam Tier 2 and moving up to playing Midget Tier 1. He was even asked to play with the Regina Pat Canadians AA Midget hockey league.

Last year Dale decided to volunteer for the OHL, coaching at several rinks where volunteers were short and referring at the wrap up tournament at the end of the year. During the season he worked with the players showing them stick work and drills that he had learned playing hockey.

“I wanted to give back to the sport that gave to me.” Dale added, “Some of the kids asked me where I got my moves from and I told them practice makes perfect.”

“The OHL gets kids off the street, some people don’t have the time or money to put their kids into hockey and the OHL is there. It teaches sportsmanship, you get to meet people in the community, and you get to have fun.”

We are now accepting registrations for the 2012-2013 season. Click here